003 // @strange.magic: video

[suckstobestrange]

[Stephen is so fucking over this.

It's only the fact that he knows which buttons do what that he can get the video on at all and he definitely doesn't look like a happy camper, not with the frown he was wearing.]

So this... memory loss thing. Anyone made any progress on figuring out a way around it?

[His brows twitched lower as his frown deepens into an annoyed sort of scowl, trembling fingers drumming restlessly against the open pages of a book.]

Not having much luck on my end.

[For a reason he's not getting into with all and sundry.]

Comments

video; un: stranger.things

[potentialed]

[ He's actually surprised to see that face on the Network. ]

Glad to see the same hasn't happened to you, too.

[suckstobestrange]

[Look, he's just not a people person. He did all his socializing for the month at the beach thing.]

It didn't hit you too, did it?

[potentialed]

[ Possums are sociable creatures, too, Stephen. ]

No. Just a number of people I know.

Any idea what it could be? It can't be something we've all been exposed to because not all of us have been affected. Unless some of us are immune to whatever it is...

[suckstobestrange]

[Don't you try and use logic on him you little fucker]

It seems to hit different types of memories too in each person. Specific things for some, general chunks of time for others.

Immunity is a possibility given it's not clustered, whatever it is. You have some people in a group coming up missing things, but others not. With the close quarters most are in with the housing, you'd think it'd spread like wildfire.

private video; @falconwings

[wingedman]

[By now, Sam's surprisingly good at reading Stephen's moods - in particular, deciphering the various forms of crankiness exhibited by the Sorcerer Supreme. He can tell that something's definitely wrong from his body language in the video. There's a furrow of concern in his brow when he responds.]

What's going on?

[Obviously he hasn't forgotten who he is like most of the people Sam's noticed posting so far, which is a relief.]

private video

[suckstobestrange]

[There's a moment where Stephen is obviously considering being a snappy asshole in response; he clenches his jaw, fingers stilling as much as they ever do over the page before he finally seemed to push past the initial urge.

Only because it's a private video though. And because it's Sam and he's been a damn better friend than Stephen feels he deserves most of the time so he's going to try and be at least somewhat less of a bastard to him by way of gratitude.]

...I've apparently forgotten how to read.

[wingedman]

Oh, shit.

[There's a look of sorrow in Sam's eyes at the news - not pity, just sorrow. Stephen probably would have rather forgotten who he was than forget how to read, Sam knows that. He hesitates for a moment before offering his assistance; Stephen is prickly and proud, and he might very well get more pissed off. But Stephen also knows by now that Sam's likely to just turn up at the Sanctum no matter what he says.]

I'll come over after work, help you go through your books. The ones written in English, anyway.

[ video | un: trickster ]

[dothelokimotion]

The erratic nature of the spell seems to imply a finite amount of time. Powerful but most likely to burn itself out.

[ He runs a hand through his hair, looking most harangued. ]

Unfortunately, I'm unable to pinpoint anything since it has infected so many.

[suckstobestrange]

Okay. Temporary is good news.

[It's something at least.]

Babyface was thinking we could try and figure out where people were over the past week or so. See if we can't find some common ground or person they all came in contact with. Or at least enough of them to make a good estimate. Long shot given it's spellwork, but it might net us more information.

[Younger Strange has a nickname now, not that he realizes it. Hope he likes it!

Tough titties if he doesn't though.]

[dothelokimotion]

[ Babyface. Despite everything, Loki is thrilled to learn that. ]

I doubt it. Considering the effects and the range . . . not to mention the fact that people themselves do not remember, we would have difficulty finding any real correlation.

[ video | un: parker ]

[starkwebs]

No, not yet.

Does stuff like this happen a lot? I mean, a lot of people seem really angry about it. Something about things like this happening before.

( He looks noticeably upset. Someone he's more familiar with might wonder who kicked his metaphorical puppy. )

Are you okay, by the way? It didn't make you forget anything too, did it?

[suckstobestrange]

It happens more than people would like. There was a similar incident before, people being literally transformed to earlier versions of themselves, both in mind and body. Temporary, but... upsetting all the same.

[Stephen just shrugged a bit at the question of if he was okay, because really what was being okay? Could you eat it?]

I seem to have forgotten how to read of all things.

[starkwebs]

Wow, okay. No one got hurt, though, right? And everyone turned back to normal eventually?

( This guy looks... Peter doesn't know the right word. Defeated doesn't sound quite right. Indifferent, maybe? Resigned.

But the admittance catches him off guard. He leans back from the feed slightly, blinking a few times. )

Woah, really? Is that why you're using a video feed?

video; un: stark.naked

[amelioraate]

... haven't looked into much of it myself but, there anything you want help with Stephen?

[ he isn't the best with reading Stephen's moods, the man is perpetually grumpy with the shit that he has gone through, but this... there is something else that is at work here and Tony is worried about him. ]

[suckstobestrange]

When have you known me to actually want help with anything, Tony?

[Don't mind him avoiding the actual question, he's just not happy about most anything right now.]

[amelioraate]

It was really just me being polite, Stephen. Basically, I am going to help you and it is me giving you the choice to limit just how much information I drag over to your doorstep.

[ look at him, being nice!!! best facial hair bro. ]

video; un: soulbond

[alkahestic]

From what my brother and I have been researching, it might be tied to the portal. It seems these strange things happen semi-regularly. One thing's for sure, it's not the god that was waking last month. It's been put to sleep. But it could be a follower of that god...

But if it is, they're or whatever's causing this, is targeting people who weren't involved with that mission. So our theory is that it's related to something with the portal.

So far, we've counted at least eight people affected, but there might be more.

[suckstobestrange]

Oh, I assure you there's more. Either the memories taken might not even occur to them as something odd, or they're not about to admit it.

Wouldn't surprise me if the portal's the cause... takes a lot of power to just pluck people from across time and space in multiple realities.

[alkahestic]

It's a lot like the Gate that way. It's strange, but I think it might be the portal too.

How many people do you know are affected?

video » un: LOKIOFASGARD

[ikols]

Hi.

[ Waving lamely; wut up stephen. Memory loss of many contexts has happened to your favourite former supervillain. ]

Stephen Strange? I think I, ah, live with you? I'm Loki.

[suckstobestrange]

You do, yes. I ah, take it the effects didn't skip over you either?

[Stephen actually pauses at this, trying to pretend he isn't nearly as concerned as he is. Except whoops he might actually be harboring A Worry for Loki at this very uncharacteristic sort of greeting.]

[ikols]

Seems not.

[ A mock-cheerful I'm-trying-not-to-panic-too-much smile is Stephen's gift today. ]

I don't seem to have a key on me. Or know where you live, specifically.

Video @the.boneless

[ragnarsson]

If you remember who I am, you're doing better than Thor and Loki are.

[Grumpy Viking is grumpy after dealing with a pair of amnesiac gods.]

Re: Video @the.boneless

[suckstobestrange]

I'm ready for this mess to be solved.

[Because clearly amnesiac gods is a great thing right? Nothing but sunshine and rainbows can come of that.]

How are you holding up otherwise, Ivar?

[ragnarsson]

You and me both. What a mess.

[There's a pause that's just a little too long between his next words.]

I'm fine.

[His standard answer even if he was bleeding out on the floor. But he knows it could be a lot worse than not remembering how to handle his weapons or remembering most people's names without compulsively writing them down in runes.]